There was still a lot of snow and ice covering the fields where we train so we trained on the pond. It had a nice layer of snow over the ice which allowed the dogs to run hard and not slide.
The first mark we ran was all the way across the pond and required the dogs to exit one pond and cross another smaller pond. This is great training for our dogs because we only have flat fields to train on around here.
Storm thought something was up right from the start.
She was a bit tentative going onto the pond.
Then all of a sudden Storm spotted something not quite right.
Storm is used to swimming across this pond. She has done it many times. When she started to run past the same branches she usually swims past, it was like a light bulb went on in her head. She pulled up, confused.
After a “back” cast to reinforce that she was supposed to retrieve, she was back on track.
The rest of Storm’s training went kind like her first retrieve, a bit off. Thunder was a bit off too.
I did get some nice pictures of them working which I will share tomorrow.
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I love it when I can see the lightbulb go off too. Great to see the pics!
Us doggies are smart, so we know when something is up! Glad she decided to run across the pond anyway!
I wouldn’t call that “mischief” I would call that being observant and quite intelligent!
Storm is very smart! I don’t think Pip would have noticed.
Once a while ago someone told me dogs have no memory. (I can’t remember who it was) but that is not true at all. Her initial hesitation indicates she knew something was off, but recognizing the branches and remembering that she swims past them, well that is amazing! Way to go Storm!!
I wonder who said that. When run multiple marks, we are testing memory. Marking and memory. Memory can mess us up during a test too. Sometimes a dog will remember something from an earlier run or training.
Of course it is just me surmising that Storm remembered the branches. 😉
Storm is one smart dog. She know that we are not suppos eto run on water.
Blessings,
Goose
That’s pretty smart that Storm recognized those branches! I am assuming that the ponds are shallow and the ice is thick so that there is no danger of falling through.
It’s so great to see them when something clicks. I think that it’s great that she realized something wasn’t right and hesitated!
That is the best pic! All her legs are going in different directions!
Hey Storm is so smart. That was funny lightbulb moment. We too loved the impromptu skating. LOL! Have a marvelous Monday.
Best wishes Molly
Smart dog. It’s funny how they remember things you would never think the could.
I bet that was confusing. I imagine you have to train in all sorts of different and confusing situations so that you stay on task. Question, though… How do you know the ice is thick enough to run across? For a moment there, I was worried about the “something not right” part.
The pond belongs to our trainer and he knows it well and walked it before training to make sure the ice was still thick and no cracks.
Storm is one smart dog!
hhaha, I love moments like that. Where you can just seem them thinking and trying to make sense of a change in their world. Some great action shots in tricky conditions with the snow. Well done, glad you could make use of the ponds even with them still frozen. Been nice and warm here
Anna
http://www.akginspiration.com
OMD! I’m with ILoveDogs on the whole worrying about something not right and the ice. But that’s hilarious about the branches! Poor, poor Storm.
Oh, Storm was definitely not into mischief…she was one smart doggie! recognizing the pond she swims in just by passing the last of the branches through the snow?!? Wow!
*high paws* huntin’ doggies
Oz
Those Chessies are too funny and clever for their own goods, Don’t try and put something past them. LOL Great pictures!
If dog could talk like us they would rule the world together with dolphins.
And that’d be scary for us.
Storm, you are soooooo smart. The only light bulbs that go off around me are the ones I am chewing. Oh dear, it’s not easy being a pug…
Storm sure an clever! And also a very good pup for getting right back to work after noticing something so strange 🙂
LOL! I guess that really messed with her head. Glad she worked past it in the end. 🙂
Messing with their minds again, that’s funny!